At Naru's Apartment…
The Second exam was over and soon the tournament was on the horizon.
Everyone participating was told to rest and then prepare as they would soon need every ounce of strength and skill to be able to move forward. Naru really wanted to be ready when she could settle some scores with some of the Gen Nin competing. There were Gaara and Neji, whom she especially wanted to bring down for what they did to her friends. Those jerks deserved a good beating and Naruto wanted to be the one to bring them down. Kakashi wanted to introduce her to someone who could help her control her chakra so she could learn new Justus. He was being all secretive, but he promised that they would help.
"Trust me when I say he's your best bet," Kakashi promised as Naru was getting ready to meet up with Itachi before he would go.
"Can't wait! I'll pass my exam and kick the butt of every jerk I can, Dattebayo!" Naru promised as she was excited to get private teachings.
Yeah, Itachi and Sakura told him what happened and didn't blame her anger on Neji and Gaara. However, it might be best to keep her and Gaara apart, not wanting two Jinchūriki in the same match. It would be very bad, a catastrophe if they did. It could trigger two beasts to be freed and destroy the entire village.
"Well, you better talk with your fiancé before he leaves. We want to talk to you about something important." The one-eyed ninja informed the girl who was getting ready.
"Speaking of Itachi, how's Sasuke been doing? I haven't seen him since the whole deal in the exam." Naru wondered, but Kakashi knew he had to keep her in the dark.
He was ordered not to speak about what was going on for fear that the intruders could listen in and hasten their plans. A snake cornered is often the deadliest and they were dealing with the most sinister snake of them all.
"He's still pretty sick but don't worry. He's a tough kid, he'll be good as new soon."
"Wel, he better get better, we still gotta exam to beat and I want to face off with him." She smiled wanting her rival and friend to be there for the tournament.
Kakashi couldn't help but think that the two of them bickering is just another form of them… getting along in a sense. Maybe Itachi was right, she was a charmer in her own way.
The two soon left while lurking was the snake…
At the Hospital…
"Inform me right away when my brother is awake. I need to speak to him as soon as possible." Itachi, the leader of the Uchiha Clan requested from the doctors and nurses.
"Will do, Lord Uchiha. Will do. We will keep an eye on his mark as well. Not wanting to make any mistakes with what that monster did to the young lord." The doctor nodded with a clipboard of the condition of the younger Uchiha, "And… try too not to overexert yourself. Remember to use your chakra sparingly."
"Will do."
The shinobi was soon about to leave when he saw his beloved bride heading his way.
It's a perfect time to talk but not the best place.
"Itachi!" Naru greeted the man she would one day marry.
"Greetings, Naru. You seemed to be in a chipper spirit today." The older Uchiha greeted her with a smile on his face.
"I wanted to check up on you and Teme before heading out for training," Naruto answered the boy.
"She was a little bit worried," Kakashi added.
"No, I wasn't, Dattebayo! I know Itachi is strong and Teme wouldn't dare miss a chance to show off!" Naru assured with her arms crossed.
Itachi was glad Naru still held her fiery determination even when her friends were harmed and those responsible were still walking about.
Some of which are slithering about…
"Let's return to my home. We have much to talk about." Itachi advised as he led the two away, knowing he would have to tell her about his worsening… condition.
At the Itachi House…
"You're sick?" Naru gasped, worried about her fiancé's health.
"Yes, with a rare Chakara disease that will continue to weaken me for every justu I use. I will be forced to retire from the life of a Shinobi." Itachi informed his bride for he didn't want to worry her with a manageable illness like this.
"How long?" Naru wondered.
"A few years at most," Itachi answered, holding his beloved's hand to give comfort and assurance of his health.
"We're sorry to hear this," Kakashi informed but Itachi smiled.
"Don't be, these things can happen sometimes. Besides, in some way, it is a relief." The older Uchiha answered with warmth in his voice, "I still have a few years left before I live a more private life of a villager and with retirement, I could live out my truest passions of starting a bakery. To create instead of destroying and to spread joy instead of fear."
"Well, then I will stand by your side when your dream comes true, Dattebayo!" Naru promised as she earned a smile from her love.
She was still the radiant beauty he fell in love with when she came to her clan's compound…
"I'm Naru Uzumaki and I'm going to become the next Hokage, Dattebayo!" She proclaimed as the Hokage sighed a bit at her enthusiasm.
Then Itachi did something that surprised Naru even more.
"I believe it."
Then he kissed her small hand.
"When will you tell your brother about your condition?" Kakashi wondered as he knew that Sasuke would be crushed to hear about his brother's retirement and illness.
Probably blame the ones responsible for-.
"I will tell him once he is well enough to speak of such things." Itachi informed then turned to his bride with a gift for her, "Now, Beloved. I have a gift for you when are preparing for the tournament. I think it will be a useful thing to have."
Itachi then presented Naruto, with a beautifully decorated box with his clan's symbol on the top. When Naruto held it, it was the heaviest thing she ever held, almost sending her to the ground but she was able to keep herself from being dragged down.
She opened it to see a pair… of metal shoes.
"Specially designed Kunoichi armored shoes, designed for the most skilled warriors and assassins, guaranteed to bring female Shinobis to their truest protentional." Itachi encouraged, "Why don't you try then on?"
'Of course, a rich clan leader would buy those types of shoes. A victim of the Clichés aren't you, Itachi?' Kakashi thought.
Naruto put on the shoes, though heavy were a perfect fit for her. She swung them around to try to get more and more used to them.
"The more you wear these shoes, the stronger your legs will be and the faster and stronger you will become with…"
When the young shinobi swung her leg, a blade came out from the bottom of the shoe!
"Defensive capabilities. Perfect for anyone who has any ideas and with your justu-."
"I call it the pervert pulverized jutsu."
"You will be a reckoning force. I already checked with the rules and judges. You can wear these shoes for the tournament but only if you are comfortable enough in them."
'Of course, he would get her those types of shoes. I fear Itachi may have condemned all of mankind. Epenthesis on 'man'.' Kakashi sweated at the sight of the shoes as they retracted.
"Itachi, you're the best!" Naru smiled as she hugged Itachi as the blade retracted.
"Anything for my love. Now, go see your tutor and be the best Shinobi you can be."
"Dattebayo!" Naruto shouted then left the room in the shoes.
"I hate you." Kakashi moaned.
"Do not irritate her and you won't feel the ire of her shoes or her latest jutsu."
"Right."
After they left, Itachi felt it was time to check on his brother, knowing he and Kakashi needed to prepare him for what was coming their way…
A monster and a snake.